Ukrainian Brigade halts Russian advance with drones and mines
The Russians continue efforts to displace Ukrainians from the Kursk region. Despite some successes in the west, the Ukrainian defense still holds the breaches. The first line of defense includes drones and artillery, capable of stopping even the most potent Russian tanks. Here's how they attacked and how the famous 47th Mechanized Brigade stopped them.
In this instance, the Russians sent four heavily armored tanks into the attack in the Kursk region, three of which were the latest T-80BWM. These are the best-armored Russian tanks, yet they were defeated in a clash with a swarm of drones piloted by soldiers of the Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade, known for their daring charges with American M2A2 Bradley fighting vehicles and M1A1 Abrams tanks.
Drones, mines, and artillery — the first line of defense
Ukrainian units employ a layered defense that is particularly effective for elite units with strong coordination. The first barrier consists of mines like the PTM-3 or AT2, placed a few kilometres from the front line using multi-launch rocket systems like the M270 MLRS or M142 HIMARS.
The second form of strike capability, beyond a distance of over 10 kilometres, involves reconnaissance drones paired with artillery conducting fire missions directed at vehicles or groups of soldiers. It is worth noting that even a 155 mm shell hit may not destroy a tank, but it can lead to a track being blown off and immobilized.
Moreover, there are anti-tank shells such as the old M712 Copperhead or the new Bonus and SMArt 155. At the same time, FPV-type drones and heavier "Baba Yaga" drones drop explosive charges on what's left. This creates a situation where the Russians fight, you might say, against "ghosts," as one Russian prisoner admitted he saw Ukrainian soldiers with his own eyes for the first time only after surrendering.
Entrenched fire points and tanks or infantry fighting vehicles are used by Ukrainians as a last resort because each appearance draws significant attention, prompting the Russians to use, for instance, aircraft with KAB bombs (FAB with UMPK module) or even Iskander-M ballistic missiles if they are available at the time.
